Inhaler



, D. A. SEAVER INHALER 2 Sheets8hee't 1 Filed Eay 31., 1946 mmvroza DONALD/I. 5E4 YER ATTORNEY D. A. SEAVER' Dec. 14, 1948.

manna 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31 1946 INVENTOR. DONALD A. SEA YER Fl E1 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. V14,, 1948 oFFlce INHALER Donald A. Seaver, West Cheshire, Conn., assignor to Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury,

Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May a1, 1946, Serial No. 673,548

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, now abandoned, Serial No.

' 577,650, filed May 13, 1945.

" This invention relates to inhalers and particularly to pocket inhalers of the type in which there is a medicated filler adapted to produce vapors for treatment of the air passages of the nose, throat and lungs.

Devices of this character are frequently provided with a nozzle designed to be applied directly to the user's nostril so that air may be drawn through the container and overthe filler to carry vapors into the nose and throat. However, such structures have not always been provided with sufficient air passages to permit air to be drawn through the device readily and in some instances the openings through which air passes into the device have been so located as to be obstructed or covered by the fingers or when held to the nostril for use. Moreover, since the medicinal material used is necessary volatile, it is important to provide means for adequately sealing the device when not in use. It is also necessary for such devices to be inexpensive and simple in construction since they are discarded when the filler has become exhausted or has lost its effectiveness- In accordance with the present invention, con- 6 Claims. Cl. 128-200) structions which overcome these objections and elements which include an outer casing and a nozzle or nostril engaging member that is normally housed within the casing but is movable to a projected position when in use. The parts are also formed to afford ample air passages for flow of air through the device and the construction further is provided with means whereby both the casing and the nozzle may be sealed to prevent evaporation or loss in effectiveness of the medicament employed.

One of the objects of the present invention is to .provide a novel type of pocket inhaler which is simple and economical to manufacture and assemble and easy and effective to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved sealing means whereby wasteof the medicinal value of the filler is avoided and leakage of the volatile constitutents to the outside of the casing when the device is not in use is precluded.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inhaler of improved simple and economic con- 2 struction in which the inhalator nozzle is movable within an outer casing so that the aperture of the nozzle may be conveniently appliedto the nostril without contact with theexternal casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved guiding means for the telescoping members of such devices so that alignment of the parts is at all times insured and jamming or tilting of the parts during movement is prevented.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an inhalator of the type set forth which is of improved efficiency providing for free and unencumbered air admitting passages as well as a free passage for air over the medicament and through the nozzle orifice.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description thereof in which reference is. made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

:Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section showing one embodiment of the invention with the cap in position;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the construction shown in Fig. 1 taken on the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is 'a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1 with the cap removed and the nozzle of the holder projected;

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the several parts of the inhaler shown in Fig. 1 as they appear before assembly; v

Fig. 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section-showing the outer casing of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation partly in section of an I alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the construction shown in Fig. 6 taken on the line 1-1 thereof;

- Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the construction shown in Fig. 6 with the several parts as they appear before assembly;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation partly in section of another alternative form of my device; and Y Fig.,l0 is an exploded view of the construction shown in Fig. 9 with the several parts as they appear before assembly.

Referring to that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings itwill be seen that the construction embodies an outer generally cylindrical casing or shell 2, and an inner open ended medicament holder 4 which is slidably fitted in the shell 2 and urged outwardly toward a projected position by a spring 6. The holder is designedto receive and retain an absorbent material which may be saturated with the inhalant or the material may be in the form of crystals or of any other preferred type but is not illustrated in the drawings.

A cap 8 is adapted to be applied to the open upper end of the casing 2 and engages the upper nozzle end of the holder 4 to depress the holder against the action of spring 8 so as to hold it in a retracted position when the cover is secured in place. The cap 8 preferably is formed of relatively light, thin and inexpensive material and comprises a head ill, the side edges of which are knurled as shown at l2 to provide a convenient gripping surface. Located within the cap 8 is a suitable sealing member l4 which may be of cork, rubber or other conventional sealing material.

The skirt of the cap 8 is provided with threads 15 for engagement with external threads IS on the upper end of the outer casing 2. The upper, or cap receiving portion of the casing 2, is of smaller diameter than the main portion 28, and a shoulder 22 is formed at the place of union of the two portions which serves as'an abutment for the lower edge of the cap to limit its downward motion on the casing. However, in most instances it is preferable to permit the sealing member l4 within the cap'to limit movement of the cap toward the container since it is then possible to assure a tight seal of the cap about the upper open end of the casing.

When the cap 8 is in position on the end of the casing 2 it not only seals the open end of the casing and retains the holder in a retracted position, but also engages the nozzle 24 on the outer end of the medicament holder 4 and serves to close and seal the central opening 28 in the nozzle to provide a separate and effective seal for the nozzle as well as the casing itself.

The open upper end of the casing 2 is provided with an inturned mouth flange 28 which presents a smooth and finished appearance to the open end of the casing, insuring the user against accident caused by sharp or rough edges. This flange also serves to limit outward movement of the holder 4 under the action of spring 8. The lower or bottom end of the casing is closed by a conventional end wall 30.

Telescopically mounted within the external casing or shell 2 is the open ended cylindrical holder 4. The upper end of the holder is formed with the tapered nostril engaging portion or nozzle 24 having the central opening 26 therein. The material about the opening 28 is drifted inward as shown at 32 so that the end surface of the nozzle is smooth and free from exposed rough edges which might engage the nostril and the surface is fiat and positioned at right angles to the axis of the holder 4 so as to present a sealable surface which may be engaged by the sealing member I4. nozzle and the open end of the external casing may be simultaneously sealed by the sealing member l4, carried by cap 8.

In order to provide adequate channels for the flow of air into and through the casing and holder, the holder 4 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced vent grooves 34 which extend from a point below the beginning of the tapered nozzle 24 to a point at or below the center of the holder. These grooves project inwardly on the holder and are of such length as to provide plurality of air passages which extend from the exterior of the casing past the flange 24 at the upper end of the casing to the interior thereof when the holder is projected to its operative position as shown in Fig. 3. The vent grooves 34 are thus positioned so that they will not be obstructed by the fingers or nose even ii the nozzle is inserted well into the user's nostril. The grooves also extend into the outer casing below the flange 28 a distance suflicient to insure free flow of air into and through the casing to the opening 36 at the lower end of the holder. From the opening 36 the air flows upward through the holder 4 to the opening 28 in the nozzle 24. In this waylarge and unobstructed passages are provided so that the user may draw vapors through the inhaler without efiort.

The walls of the holder 4 below the nozzle 24 are also provided with guide ribs 38 which are preferably spaced circumferentially so as to be located between the vent grooves 34. The ribs 38 project outwardly from the holder and extend longitudinally thereof terminating at their upper ends in shoulders 48 which are designed to engage the inwardly extending fiange 28 on the upper end of the casing 2 to limit outward movement of the holder under the action of the spring The side faces of the ribs 38 present smooth bearing and guiding surfaces engagable with the internal surface of the casing 2. The ribs thus provide extended and spaced supports for the holder which insure smooth straight and rectilinear movement of the holder and prevent tilting or jamming thereof within the outer casing.

The shoulders 48 are located below or spaced downwardly from the upper ends of the vent grooves 34. and therefore when the holder is in its projected position the vent grooves 34 extend from points above the flange 28 to points below this flange and'permit air to flow freely inwardly past the flange 28 to the space between the casing and the holder and to the opening 36 in the lower end of the holder. The air thus entering the outer casing passes upward over or through the medicament or filler within the holder to the opening 28 in the nozzle 24.

The holder 4 is normally urged outwardly toward the projected position shown in Fig. 3 by means of the spring 8. The lowermost turn of the spring 6 is squared and lies flush against the inner surface of the bottom wall 30 of the casing 2. I The internal diameter of the spring 8 is slight- 1y greater than the external diameter of the lower portion 42 of the medicament holder 4 and sur- With this construction both the rounds the lower portion of the holder. The upper end of spring 8 is squared and bears against the downwardly facing shoulder 44 of the guide ribs 38. Thus the spring is so placed as to avoid interference with the contents of the holder, and the use of separate or special members for confining the spring is unnecessary. The construction described is simple and easy to produce and provides for sealing of both the holder and casing when in retracted position. Moreover, the holder is supported and guided in its movement without reducing or limiting the volume or the holder or resorting to additional elements or complicated structure. At the same time the device presents a neat and attractive appearance and is always in a sanitary condition.

That form of the invention shown'in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive is in many respects similar to the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. Like numerals are therefore used for corrmponding parts. In this form of the device the outer casing 2 receives the h l er 4 which is normally urged toward a proje tment within the outer casing.

ed position by the spring 6.

nozzle and to'seal the open end of the casing 2. v

The cap a cooperates" withthe nozzle 24 to seal the outer end of the assess;

Vent grooves 36 are also similarly formed in the Y holder 5. and guide ribs 38 extend from the external surface with-upper shoulders tfljfonned' to engage the inturned flangev 28 formed on the outer casing 2.

In this form of the invention,

upper ends of the vent grooves to the lowermost end of the medicament holder. The holder is thus supportedthroughout the greater part of its length to further prevent the tilting and jamming of the medicament holder during its movement. Moreover, the spring 6 in this form of my invention, has an external diameter less than-the internal diameter of the medicamentholders d, and islocated within the holder. The lowermost turn of the spring 6 bears against the inner surfaceof the end wall 39 and its uppermost turn however, the guide ribs 38 extend downwardly from pointsibelow the upper-end 58 of the casing 2 is spun inward venting means to insure a free flow of air through bears against downwardly facing shoulders d6 formed at the inner ends of the vent grooves dd.

- The form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is also similar to the one shown in Figs. 1' to 5 inclusive, but in this form'of the invention guide ribs 48fbetween vent grooves 36 are relatively short, and additional guide ribs 50 extend length- 7 wise of the holderadjacent the lower end thereof. The guide ribs 48 engage the inturned flange 28 on the upper end of the casing 2 when the holder is projected so as to limit the outward movement of the holder whereas the guide ribs 50 terminate at their upper ends in inwardly turned shoulders 52. Within the holder there is mounted an abutment washer 54 more clearly shownin Fig. 10. The external configuration of the washer 54 is substantially the same as the internal configuration of the holder taken at the ribs 50 and is provided with projections 55 which abut shoulders 52 to hold the washer in place and provide a hearing for the upper end of a spring 6 mounted-between the washer 54 and the lower end wall 30 of the casing 2.

In this construction the size of :the spring need not be so accurately maintained since the washer the length of the holder, sincethe guide ribs 48 and 58 are spaced suillciently to provide adequate bearing and support for the holder in its move- In each of the forms of the invention described the outer casing, prior to assembly, is completely formed except for the inwardly turned flange 28 at the open upper end of the casing. This flange is not formed until after the elements are -assem.- bled'and the casing is therefore supplied to those who charge the holder with the medicament with the end thereof extended as shown in dotted lines at 58 in Fig. 5. In assembling theelements ,the spring 6 is inserted into the outer casing so as to rest against the base 30 of the casing. The holder, charged with vaporizable medicament, is then inserted into the casing 2 so that the spring surrounds the holder and engages the downwardly facing shoulders 44 of, the guide ribs as shown in Figs. l to 5. When using the construction of Figs. 6 to 8 the spring 6 extends into the interior of the holder and its .upper and bears against the in- I wardly extending downwardly facing shoulder 86 at the lower ends of the vent grooves 34. Simito form the retaining-flange 28. The structure 1 is then completed and ready for use and the cap 8 can be applied to the casingto-seal the cas-- ing and noz'zle.

- From, the foregoing it'wilbbeseen that the present invention provides. novel and improved the device and .yet'embodies a limited number of elements each of which is capable of ready manufacture and assembly. The inhaler further embodies improved sealing and closing means, as well as improved guiding and aligning means which preclude tilting, jamming or misalignment of the parts and insure continuous smooth operation of the device. 7

While typical and preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the drawings and described'above, it will be apparent that numerous other changes, modifications and g the full use of equivalentsmay be resorted to in the practice of the invention. In view thereof it should be. understood that the constructions shown are intended tobe illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

'1. An inhaler comprising a casing, a rnedica ment holder slidably movable within said casing and having a lower portion and a. nozzle portion,

air channels formed in said holder and positioned 'may be formed to extend further into the holder extending longitudinallyin the-lower portion thereof, said holder lying entirely within said casing when in one position to which it is movable, longitudinallyextending ribs located between said air channels and projecting outwardly from the exterior surface of said holder to engage said casing and guide the holder on movement thereof. said ribspresenting downwardly facing shoulders on the lowermost ends thereof and springmeans engaging said shoulders and casing for moving said holder with respect to said casing to a. position in which portions only ofsaid air channels portion of said holder for. urging said holder outwardly'from said casing, air conducting passages spaced around the exterior surface of the lower portion of said holder below saidnozzle portion,

guide ribs located between said air conducting passages so as to engage said casingand extending partially along said holder in a. longitudinal shoulders on the guide ribs for limiting the outward movement of said holder with respect to the casing the upper portion of said air passages being exposed to the exterior of said open ended casing when said holder is urged upwardly to its uppermost position. i

' 3. An inhaler comprising a casing, a medicament holder having a lower portion and an upper nozzle portion slidably movable in said casing to a position in which said holder is housed entirely within said casing, depressions in the outer surface of said holder forming air conducting passages extending longitudinally of the lower portion of said holder and located so as to be exposed to the exterior of said casing when the holder is in one position to which it is movable, said air passages being spaced from said nozzle portion, guide ribs on said holder located between said passages and extending longitudinally of the holder, said guide ribs being formed with downwardly facing shoulders at the lower ends thereof and upwardly facing shoulders at the upper ends thereof, spring means engaging the end wall of said casing and embracing the lower portion of said holder with the uppermost turn thereof bearme against said downwardly facing shoulders for urging said holder outwardly from said casing and an inwardly turned flange formed on the casing adjacent the open end thereof for engaging said upwardly facing shoulders to limit outward movement of said holder when the air conducting passages are partially exposed to the exterior of the casing. 4

4. An inhaler comprising an open ended casing, a holder movable to a position entirely within said casing and having a lower portion and an upper nozzle portion, said nozzle portion being movable through the open end of said casing, said holder having depressions formed in the outer surface of the lower portion thereof providing outwardly facing air channels extending longitudinally of the holder, said depressions extending inwardly from the inner surface of said holder and presenting downwardly facing shoulders at the lower ends of said depressions, spring means bearing against said shoulders and against said casing for urging said nozzle outward through the open end of said casing, and longitudinally extending bearing surfaces on said casing and holder located ducting passages so as to engage said casing and.

extending partially along said holder in a longitudinal direction, said guide ribs being formed with downwardly facing shoulders on their lower extremities for engaging the uppermost tum of said spring means and with upwardly facing shoulders on their uppermost extremities, means on said casing cooperating with the upwardly facing shoulders on the guide ribs for limiting the outward movement of said holder with respect to the casing, the upper portion of said air passages being exposed to the exterior of said open ended casing when said holder is urged upwardly to its uppermost position, and a cap for said outer casing, said cap having a sealing disc in the top thereof adapted to tightly engage the end of said nozzle and the open end of said casing when said cap is applied to said casing.

6. An inhaler comprising a casing, a medicament holder having a lower portion and an upper nozzle portion slidably movable in said casing to a position in which said holder is housed entirely within said casing, depressions in the outer surface of said holder forming air conducting passages extending longltudinally of the lower portion of said holder, said air passages bein located so as to be exposed to the exterior of said casing when the holder is in one position to which it is movable, said air passages being spaced from said nozzle portion, guide ribs on said holder located between said passages and extending longitudinally of the holder, said guide ribs being formed with downwardly facing shoulders at the lower ends thereof and upwardly facing shoulders at the upper ends thereof, spring means engaging the end wall ofsaid casing and embracing the lower portion of said holder with the uppermost turn thereof bearing against said downwardly facing shoulders for urging said holder outwardly from said casing, an inwardly turned flange formed on the casing adjacent the open end thereof for engaging said upwardly facing shoulders to limit outward movement of said holder when the air conducting passages are partially exposed to the exterior of the casing, and a cap for said outer casing, said cap having a. sealing element located in the top thereof engageable with the end of said nozzle and the end of said casing when said cap is applied to said gasing.

DONALD A, SEAVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,159,111 Tobler May 23, 1939 2,191,016 Hoffman Feb. 20, 1940 

